Búgvin Travel Guide

Búgvin is a large sea-stack north of the village Gjógv on Eysturoy Island in the wind-swept Faroe Islands. In order to get a view of the rock formation, you will hike from Gjógv to the beautiful valley Ambadalur.

Here you will get a striking view of Búgvin, at 188 metres (616 feet) the highest vertical freestanding sea stack in the Faroe Islands. This immense sea stack made out of basalt is a safe haven for seabirds. It has large colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes.

The sea-stack itself is packed with birds. There are also lots of birds flying around the sea stack and birds nesting on the huge basalt rock alike.

The valley of Ambadalur is an one hour hike from the village of Gjógv. The hike is absolutely worth the time and effort.

Head towards northwest from Gjógv and you will reach Ambadalur and you will be awarded with the best view of Búgvin. And you will even see Risin & Kellingin in the background.

You will see nothing but the sea stack and then the vast ocean from this place. Beside numerous birds, the only moving objects here are boats such as the passenger ferry Norrøna that pass by weekly most of the year.

Búgvin in the Local Culture

Being such a vast rock formation has made Búgvin a part of the local culture in many ways. You will find boats by the locals named after the sea-stack. Moreover, Búgvi is also a male name in the archipelago. There are several men named Búgvi in the Faroe Islands and looking at the family tree, you will soon find out that the family has its origins in Gjógv, the nearest settlement to this mighty attraction.

Beata Leifsdóttir Skaalum

Beata Leifsdóttir Skaalum is born and raised in Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands. She now lives in Sandavágur on Vágar Island located near the only airport in the archipelago. Before becoming the manager at the enchanting Fiskastykkið restaurant in Sandavágur, she did her internship with Guide to Faroe Islands in Tórshavn. Beata holds a degree in Marketing Management from Glasir Tórshavn Collage.

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